by M. D. Grimm
“We are not as isolated up here as you might believe.”
Even as he opened his mouth to speak again, another giant entered the room. A broad woman of equal height to Jettina, with hair of sunny yellow, gazed at him in consideration before gesturing to the matron. Jeth didn’t know giants could have fair looks. Perhaps it depended on the clan and environment.
Steely blue eyes watched him from a youthful face as he struggled to sit up. His strength was rapidly returning, he could feel it. Yet he still needed time to recover. Time he didn’t have. He grabbed his tunic and slipped it on as the two giantesses spoke in hushed tones. He was rather surprised they managed that, considering how Jettina’s voice carried when she spoke to him.
Then Jettina left and he was alone with the newcomer. Her face was more elegant than Jettina’s or his father’s, yet she still had the heavy brow and thickly structured skull and broad body. Her long hair was braided and hung over one shoulder, the ends brushing her waist.
“You are the son of Jethron.”
It wasn’t a question. Jeth nodded anyway. “How do you know my father?”
“We are his clan.”
“You—” Jeth couldn’t remember another time he’d been sincerely stunned speechless.
“He imposes exile upon himself. Foolish and useless. Did he warn you against us?”
Jeth nodded, still unable to find his voice.
“He thinks we won’t accept him. Not after he created life with a human.”
Jeth thought of how his father had spoken of the other giants. Of these giants. “Don’t you have little regard for mixed blood such as myself? Such as him?”
Her expression turned sour. Jeth braced himself. Then she simply sighed, her expression becoming to one of resignation. “If that were true, then why would I lie with a giant of mixed heritage and produce Jethron?”
Jeth gaped.
She stepped forward and knelt beside him. Her eyes lost their steel and showed weariness. “I am Jethryn. Your grandmother.”
Jeth’s ears rang and he shuddered out a breath. He closed his eyes and ran a hand over his face, through his hair. “I don’t understand any of this.”
“You were raised among humans. That is what we dislike. That is what we strive to prevent. Our blood is powerful. We can never know what will pass to our offspring, whether they be full blood or half, or some other combination. We have strict rules about consorting with humans in such a way. Any offspring born of such a union must be brought to their clan and raised, watched, and trained.”
Jeth stared at Jethryn. His father’s mother. By the gods.
“Jethron did not stay long enough to determine if he conceived a child upon your mother. He did not do his duty. His reasons are his own, but when he found out he had a child, when you appeared on these mountains, he exiled himself. He feared retribution of some kind. I have tried to convince him otherwise, to bring him out of the cold yet he refuses.” She sighed again. “He was always stubborn and enjoyed his own company above anyone else’s.”
She regarded Jeth silently for a moment before reaching out, slowly brushing a finger over Jeth’s cheek. “I have longed to meet you. Your reputation does me proud. These are your mountains, Jeth. We are your clan. You were raised among humans but you are a part of us.”
Heart thudding in his chest, he struggled to wrap his mind around Jethryn’s words, the truth of them. She wasn’t lying. Not one bit. He couldn’t detect a lie, and why would she bother with one?
She was so warm, her touch so gentle and soothing.
Jeth swallowed hard. “I always wondered what rumors were true and what were lies.”
She smiled and it transformed her face into something radiant, a sunflower thriving in the bitterest cold.
“Many of the rumors about our viciousness are correct, but only when we’re riled. We prefer to be among our kin. I like to think of us as peaceful, when we’re left alone.”
“Peaceful?”
“For the most part, yes. We battle the mountain and her cruelty, and that means working together.” Amusement colored her voice. “That also means taking in a frozen guest, no matter who he is, and caring for him until he’s well.”
Jeth looked away. Jethryn stroked a hand once down his head.
“Why did you come here?” she asked. “Why did you dare the mountain and risk your own life to find us?”
Jeth took a deep breath and met her eyes once more. “I need your help. I need my clan’s help.”
“For what?”
“The war between Senica and Dathia must end. It’s gone on far too long.”
“I agree.”
“We suspect the Dathian king is trying to make an alliance with a giant clan south of the pass where my main camp is. That is why I’m here. If he manages an alliance with them, then he wins. He crushes us and surges over the mountain to destroy Senica. I can’t let that happen. He won’t conquer my home. I’m asking for help. Whether he gets the alliance or not, I know having giants on our side can tip the scale. We can end the war.”
She frowned. “And you will use us to conquer Dathia.”
“What? No! I have no desire for that. I just... I want to go home.”
“You are home.”
Jeth blew out a breath. “I know. In my gut I know these mountains are mine and I like it here. But I have someone waiting for me to return, and I can’t let him down. He can’t stay here. He must get off these mountains before they kill him.”
“You love him?”
“Yes.”
“A human.”
Again, not a question. He nodded all the same
“I suppose I can’t blame you for loving a human. You have lived among them your entire life.” Jethryn’s expression grew troubled. “But you have no place with them. Your place is with us. You proved that by coming here, by battling the mountain and winning. I see our strength inside you. You should have been raised here.” She shook her head. “I can only imagine the harm you suffered at their hands.”
“They’re not all bad. You know that. That man I love is a warrior with a good heart and he got that heart from his family. They accepted me, and welcomed my mother and me into their home. They raised me until I joined the army. They have given me nothing but love.”
Jethryn looked away. Silence fell. Jeth tilted the mug of water sitting next to him and sipped. His stomach gurgled in hunger and his bladder tightened desperately. But he ignored it all, waiting for his grandmother. Wondering if she could understand his position. Yet her acceptance and invitation into the clan warmed his heart even as it stuck in his gut. What would it have been like to be raised here? Possibly by Jethryn herself? His mother might still be alive. Yet he wouldn’t know her, not really. She’d be alive and they’d be strangers. He didn’t know if that would have been better.
“What is his name?”
Jeth looked at Jethryn and didn’t need to ask her to clarify. “Kodie.”
She closed her eyes. “We love only once in our lives. Did you know that? We might have numerous mates and children, but only one mate will capture our heart and soul. Only one will tempt us to abandon all kin bonds, all that is familiar, and enter the unknown. We never know when it will come or why it comes. It is instant, that connection. It is both feared and revered, hated and yearned for.” She looked at him. “Does your Kodie fit that description?”
No hesitation. “Yes.”
She nodded.
He reached out and touched her hand. She looked down and turned her hand so she could curl her fingers around his.
“In such a short time you have given me so much,” Jeth said. Their eyes met. “I can never thank you enough, and no words will ever convey my gratitude. I will tell you that I know why Kodie is my one mate. My mother was killed when I was only thirteen winters, and I fell into the rage.”
Her eyes widened.
“I don’t remember much of it. I don’t want to. I killed and maimed the villagers that caused my mother’s death.
Kodie followed me and he saved me. He broke the control the rage had on me. Then he followed me into the army and has never once left my side. He is my true home, and he can’t stay here. I can’t lose him.”
“I see,” she whispered. “Yes, I understand now. I rejoice for you both. What a special man he must be.”
“He is.” Jeth tightened his grip on her hand. “I know you don’t want to become involved in human affairs. Trust me, I completely understand. But neither Kodie nor I can ever leave this mountain until we are either dead or the war is over. These may be my mountains but I won’t die on them, and I won’t allow them to take Kodie.”
“You want us to ally with your king.”
“I want you to ally with your grandson. I want you to trust me.”
Jethryn tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “I do trust you. I see in you the best of both humans and giants.”
“No, I’m not—”
Jethryn leaned down and kissed the top of his head. His words died.
“I will talk to the council on your behalf.” She stood.
“What are my chances?” Jeth asked, grabbing his kilt and cloak. “Is it even possible they will agree?”
“It is possible.” Jethryn smiled, and Jeth got the impression it held many secrets. “You are my blood and I claim you. We are not so much helping a human kingdom but one of our own. Our son is in danger and so is his chosen mate. We can’t allow such an insult to go unpunished.”
Jeth grinned, utterly appreciating her at that moment. He wasn’t surprised to realize he was a little in love with her already. And Jettina.
“You rest now,” Jethryn said. “I will call a council meeting.”
“How fast can you come to a decision?”
“You just worry about yourself, for right now. Heal. Rest. I’ll take care of the council. Trust me.”
A wave of dizziness washed over him, and Jeth had to lie down and focus on his breathing. So close. He was so close to his goal, he could taste it. He’d come this far, and it would seem the rest had to be pushed forward by a giantess he’d just met, his grandmother.
Hang on just a bit longer, Kodie, he thought. I’m still alive and coming home.
Chapter Ten
Two weeks.
No word from Jeth. No word from Master General Cord. No news of the success or failure of Dathia’s attempt at an alliance with the giants. The standstill gnawed at Kodie’s insides. All he could do was continue to train the soldiers, make sure supplies were sufficient, and not dwell on the horrifying thought that Jeth was dead.
At least he was well enough to join in on the training. Kodie took on three men with axe and sword. He shouted suggestions, proud of their teamwork and coordination. They got him on his knees and held a blade to his neck. He grinned as the crowd that inevitably formed around them, cheered.
The storm finally broke two days before and everyone took advantage of the freedom of movement outside their tents.
Kurza held out a hand and he took it, letting her pull him to his feet.
“Great job.” He sheathed his sword and hefted the axe over his shoulder. His breath came out in thick puffs of fog. “Take a break. All of you.”
He trudged back to his tent.
“Commander.” He turned to see Nadya hurrying toward him. She touched his arm when she reached him. “A scout just arrived, half frozen. He reports he saw three Dathian soldiers leaving the territory of the giant clan south of us. He claims they looked rather smug and had fresh supplies, looking no worse for the wear despite the storm.”
Kodie tightened his grip on the axe handle. “Weren’t there five to start?”
“Aye. They could have either died from exposure or remained with the giants. We can’t know.”
“Smug looks means they got what they wanted.” His stomach pitched. “Is he certain? The scout?”
“Aye. Absolutely certain and scared out of his mind.”
Kodie looked north, in the direction Jeth left. Where are you?
Nadya squeezed his arm. “What do we do?”
“Don’t tell anyone else. Don’t let him talk to anyone else. We can’t start a panic. I’ll write to the master general. Go.”
She nodded and hurried away. Kodie entered his tent and dropped the axe before grabbing a piece of parchment from one of his bags. He quickly scrawled out a message and went in search of speedy messenger.
As soon as that was done, he stood next to Jeth’s tent, overlooking the hundreds of tents dotting the land around him. Each tent held either four or five soldiers. So many lives under his command. So many lives to be slaughtered. Soldiers died, but it shouldn’t be accepted. It shouldn’t be shrugged away. They had families and lives on the flatlands, and many wouldn’t return.
Shivering, Kodie crossed his arms over his chest. A snowflake found its way inside his cloak and rolled down his neck. Kodie gritted his teeth and kicked snow with his foot. He tilted his head back and looked at the sky. Nothing to see there. The entire sky and all that surrounded them was white. An enormous white tent without heat.
Kodie thought of his family and his stomach tightened. It was hard to keep up the hope he would see them again. If the Dathians didn’t kill him, then either the weather or the giants would.
He sighed. Even as he started to turn, shouts from below on the training field caught his attention. Soldiers pointed to something behind him, and he whipped around, hand on his sword. He pulled it out halfway before his mind comprehended the familiarity of the figure standing not far from him.
A large hand pushed back a fur-lined hood, revealing a brutish and beloved face. Jeth grinned, onyx eyes dancing with amusement and love.
“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” he said.
Awareness of their audience was the only thing that kept Kodie from leaping into Jeth’s arms and devouring him whole. Instead, he let go of the sword and walked forward. He reached out and pressed a hand to Jeth’s chest, letting his eyes show what he couldn’t otherwise.
“I’m glad you’re back.”
Jeth covered Kodie’s hand. “So am I. And with good news.”
“We could use some.”
“The Dathians got their alliance?”
“Aye, so it would seem.”
“We got ours.”
Kodie’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “What? How? That’s wonderful! But—”
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you every bit of it, after I get a message to the master general. The king will have to agree to the giants’ terms or not even the gods will save him.”
“What are the terms?”
“Not unreasonable.”
Kodie gave him an exasperated look even as his heart continued to pound in excitement and relief. “I just sent a message down the mountain for Cord about the Dathians and the giants. Yours should increase the urgency of a response.”
“I should say.” Jeth grabbed Kodie’s hand and tugged him into his tent. As soon as the flaps closed, Kodie found his mouth assaulted, and he pushed into it, yearning for more. For all. Jeth cupped his face and ravished his mouth while Kodie pushed his hands into Jeth’s tunic, relishing that warm, hairy skin.
“I missed you,” Kodie murmured against Jeth’s lips.
“Same,” Jeth said as he pulled back. They both panted and it was apparent Jeth struggled to step away. He grabbed parchment and quill and bent over the table to write. Kodie stepped up beside him and wrapped an arm around his thick waist. He leaned passed Jeth’s arm to read what he wrote, and his eyes widened, his heart pounding for another reason. He knew there had to be more to Jeth’s time with the giants but the most relevant to the war was what Jeth wrote down.
Jeth quickly rolled and tied the parchment before choosing a messenger. As soon as the messenger rode off, Kodie touched Jeth’s arm.
“We have time now. Tell me everything.”
Jeth laid his arm across Kodie’s shoulders and led him back into the tent. “Where do I even start?”
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***
Jeth fell silent after he told Kodie everything he’d learned with the giants. He drank some mead, giving Kodie time to process it all. Gods, Jeth was still trying to process it all.
“I am so happy for you.”
Jeth met Kodie’s eyes. Kodie smiled, looking awestruck. “I really am, Jeth. That is so...amazing and, gods, I don’t have the words. You found your other family. And they welcomed you! They’re not at all what I imagined.”
“You’re telling me,” Jeth said with a slight laugh. “But they can be. I believed Jethryn when she said giants can be the vicious monsters when riled. I suspect we’ll see some of that when they join the war. The council didn’t like the idea that another giant clan were allying themselves with humans. Involving themselves in human affairs isn’t what giants do.”
“But... they allied with you.”
“I’m blood. They protect their own.”
Kodie smiled. “I’m grateful for their loyalty.”
“I told Jethryn about you.”
Kodie blinked. “Oh.”
“She wants to meet you.”
He paled. “Oh.”
Jeth snorted and tackled Kodie to the ground on top of the furs. “Enough talking for now. I need you.” He yanked at the ties of Kodie’s breeches while also pulling off his tunic. Kodie gasped and played along, tugging on Jeth’s clothes. They stripped each other with some fumblings and laughter before Jeth pinned Kodie underneath him.
Kodie moaned. “I missed your heat.”
Jeth shivered as Kodie gripped his back, fingers digging to his skin. Kodie’s strong, muscled legs tightened around his waist and their cocks rubbed together, sending spikes of pleasure up his spine. Jeth kissed him all over his face.
“I love you.”
Kodie captured his mouth for a long, hard kiss before nipping at his lower lip. “I love you, giant man.”
Jeth grinned.
They gave each other pleasure, with mouths and hands, bodies sliding, warm despite the frigid air of the mountains. Reconnecting, reforging the bond between them since childhood.
